A ‘Dhaka Heritage Cycle Rally‘ took place in the capital city on 14th August morning during a month-long festival to promote Dhaka’s rich history, heritage and cultural legacy and to build citizens’ sense of ownership and responsibility over Dhaka.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) had organised the rally, which began at 7:00 am from the historic Dhaka Gate, UNB reports.

State Minister for Road Transport and Highways, and Railways Habibur Rashid Habib, delivered the keynote address at the rally, while Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman was the special guest. DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam presided over the rally.

The cycle rally was organised in the frame of “Hridoye Dhaka 416” to mark the 416th anniversary of Dhaka, attended by around 300 citizens from August 1 to 5 and then till September 5.

The rally started from Dhaka Gate, went through TSC intersection, Shahbagh intersection, Bata Signal, Science Lab intersection, Nilkhet intersection, Azimpur intersection, Etimkhana intersection, Dhakeshwari Temple, Madrasah Education Board, Bakshibazar intersection, Central Shaheed Minar, Secretariat, National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Bangabazar intersection and finally reached to Nagar Bhaban.

The DSCC presented medals and certificates to each of the cyclists who participated in the competition.

In her address at the event, State Minister Habib said that Dhaka is their city of heart and a repository of the history and heritage of the country.

Every citizen of Dhaka should have the feeling of safety and a comfortable environment to live in, as the future of Bangladesh is tied to Dhaka, he said, adding that “safe, clean and liveable Dhaka” was the city’s future.

DSCC Administrator Salam, in his speech, pointed out that it is a pressing demand to strengthen the emotional ties and sense of belonging of citizens to the capital, which is rich in history, heritage and culture, and has existed for over four centuries.

The citizens are not yet able to feel a sense of belonging and responsible civic consciousness towards Dhaka, as they have not been familiar and engaged enough with the city’s history, heritage and cultural diversity,” he said.

The primary goal of the programme is to share Dhaka’s history, heritage and culture with the citizens in a new way, and foster feelings of love, ownership and responsibility for Dhaka, he said.

In the other programmes, a ‘Dhaka Heritage Run’ will be organised on August 15 from Motijheel Shapla Chattar to Buriganga Mancha at Swarighat.

A theatre festival, with stage works inspired by Dhaka, will be organised at the auditorium of Zahir Raihan Cultural Centre, Sutrapur, from August 16 to 22.

A traditional boat race will be organised between Kholamora Ghat and Wais Ghat on August 21, while tourists will get a special heritage cruise experience from Sadarghat on the same day on a century-old boat.

Madhumita Cinema Hall will be holding screenings of old films on 22 August that were produced in Dhaka.